Dorothy Daniel had a petition with signatures of other disgruntled water customers in hand when she addressed Jones County Board of Commissioner members at their June 18 meeting.

She wanted to know why, in addition to the rate increase, the commissioners “cut the water supply.”

Daniel was referring to the fact that the most recent water rate increase by the Jones County Water System not only raised the water rate but also decreased customers’ base rate from 3,000 to 2,000 gallons. The base rate is the minimum amount charged to customers.

The speaker said her water bill increased by $5 a month because of the rate hike.

Engineer Tim Ingram, Water Superintendent Freddie Wiggins, and Commissioner Larry Childs each attempted to explain the reason for the increase to Daniel, but she was not appeased.

“Everything has gone up and the water system has to pay for itself. We are losing $20,000 a year. What we gained by raising the rates is only half of what we need,” Childs said.